Setting

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Mrs Leonard Headteacher Lindale CofE Primary School School Hill Lindale Grange-Over-Sands Cumbria LA11 6LE

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technology (ICT)

Thank you for your hospitality and co-operation, and that of your staff, during my visit on 16 March 2009 to look at work in ICT. The visit had a particular focus on the use of the plasma screen in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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technology (ICT)

The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our national evaluation and reporting. Published reports are likely to list the names of the contributing institutions but individual institutions will not be identified in the main text. All feedback letters will be published on the Ofsted website at the end of each half-term.

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technology (ICT)

Lindale CofE Primary school is a smaller than average primary school serving a rural area of Cumbria. The percentage of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is above average.

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technology (ICT)

The plasma screen was installed in the Early Years Foundation Stage in September 2006. Since then you have bought another screen which is located mainly in the computer suite and used for small group working. The children use the screen to self register, navigate to computer programs, mark make and as a computer screen.

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technology (ICT)

Since the screen was installed it has become an integrated part of the Early Years Foundation Stage continuous provision. It has enabled staff to produce resources more quickly and use a wide range of resources from the internet. The screen has also developed the learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The children appreciate the screen, they enjoy using it. The children are confident about using the screen and this has had many benefits. The children are motivated by the screen, in particular they enjoy interacting with it, by, for example, self registering in the mornings. Their social development has also been enhanced by the use of the screen. They know, understand and adhere to the simple rules which mean that each child has equal access to the screen. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities have especially benefited from the screen with, in one case, a child becoming a ‘mini expert’ teaching other children and this greatly enhanced their social

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technology (ICT)

You have also used the screen to develop the children’s mark making skills and this has been particularly beneficially for some boys who were reluctant to mark make on paper. All the children have more confidence about using computers because they are used to using the screen. In lessons the screen provides a focus for developing the children’s knowledge and understanding and enables staff to challenge the children’s misconceptions.

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technology (ICT)

The support provided by the local authority has been appreciated. The training has ensured that staff are confident and pro-active about using the screen. This has benefited staff involved in the Early Years Foundation Stage, some of whom are now supporting other schools with the use of plasma screens.

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technology (ICT)

The screen has provided you with excellent value for money because of the amount of use it has had. Also its reliability has enabled it to become a positive, and integrated part, of both the teaching and learning in the EYFS.

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technology (ICT)

I hope these observations are useful as you continue to develop ICT in the school.

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As I explained a copy of this letter will be sent to your local authority and will be published on the Ofsted website. It will also be available to the team for your next institutional inspection.

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